'Today' Show Honcho Defends Decision To Oust Ann Curry, Blasts 'GMA'

"Today" show executive producer Jim Bell is speaking out for the first
time since a record-low ratings summer and the ousting of anchor
Ann Curry.

After months of losing in the ratings race for the first time in
16 years to ABC's "Good Morning America," Bell tells The New York Times it's because of the
difference in the shows' approaches—saying “Today” is a “more
serious show” while “GMA” is “doing something else.”

Asked if he was suggesting “GMA” was a more tabloid-style
program, Bell confirmed, “That’s what I’m saying.”

"GMA" has won the last six weeks by margins ranging from
255,000 viewers to 883,000. It has also beaten "Today" by
increasingly sizable margins in the category most important to
advertisers, viewers ages 25 to 54. Last week, “GMA” won that
group by 234,000 viewers, its biggest edge since it took over
first place.

A rep for ABC News simply told the NYT, "I
think the audience has spoken loud and clear about its preference
in the morning."

“It was definitely not Matt’s call,” Bell told the paper. “He is
the host and does not have management responsibility. It was not
his call. That was my call."

And in response to recent reports of Lauer's diva behavior
behind-the-scenes, Bell sets the record straight, saying,
"These stories portraying Matt in a negative light are just
preposterous. Matt is the heart and soul of the broadcast. He has
a heart of gold. This stuff about him has been very irresponsible
and in a lot of cases flat-out wrong.”

Bell adds that reports of "Today" show budget and salary
cuts, due to Lauer's alleged $25 million a year contract, are
also false. "There is no plan for any cutbacks of layoffs for any
of the staff ... that could not be more wrong."